Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $41,330 -14.5% vs national
Median hourly $19.87
10th percentile $23,470
90th percentile $50,770
Employed locally 510
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,470
    25th
    $30,240
    50th (median)
    $41,330
    75th
    $46,320
    90th
    $50,770

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 62% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,760
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $74,240
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $73,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $73,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380

    Nearby metros — Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $60,790
    Wisconsin $60,390
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $57,420
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $50,360
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $49,000

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,520
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,580
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,730
    Light Truck Drivers $40,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $40,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $62,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Columbia, SC is $19.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.99 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries?

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Columbia, SC is 14.5% below the national median of $48,350. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Columbia?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $23,470 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,240.